Italian GP: Hamilton and Verstappen collide and crash at Monza, Ricciardo wins

Daniel Ricciardo
McLaren's Daniel Ricciardo celebrates on the podium. Photo: Reuters

Australian Daniel Ricciardo won the Italian Grand Prix in a stunning McLaren one-two at Monza on Sunday while Formula One title rivals Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton took each other out of the race.

The victory was McLaren's first since 2012, the last being Jenson Button's victory in Brazil in November of that year, and Ricciardo's first since he was at Red Bull in 2018.

"About time," smiled the happy Australian before performing his trademark 'Shoey' -- glugging the podium champagne from his sweaty boot and sharing it with second-placed teammate Lando Norris and McLaren boss Zak Brown.

"To lead literally from start to finish, I don't think any of us expected that," he said.

"To not only win but to get a one-two, it's insane. For McLaren to be on the podium is huge."

Ricciardo, whose other seven wins were all with Red Bull, had started on the front row and seized the lead from Verstappen at the start and he completed his day with a bonus point for fastest lap and voted Driver of the Day by fans.

The result, on pace and merit, was a perfect reply from the Australian to his critics after struggling to get to grips with the McLaren since joining from Renault at the end of last year.

Lewis Hamilton
Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton after crashing out of the race. Photo: Reuters

"For anyone who thought I'd left, I never left," he said over the radio after taking the chequered flag. "I just moved aside for a while."

Valtteri Bottas took third for Mercedes after winning the Saturday sprint race and then starting at the back of the grid due to engine penalties.

The Finn finished fourth on track but Red Bull's Sergio Perez ahead of him had a five second penalty that dropped the Mexican down to fifth with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc fourth.

Mercedes' seven-time world champion Hamilton had pitted and returned alongside Red Bull's championship leader, with the pair colliding at the first chicane and Verstappen's car wedged on top of the Briton's in the gravel.

Both drivers stepped out and the safety car was deployed.

"That's what happens when you don't give space," said Verstappen on the team radio.

Verstappen had started the day five points clear of Hamilton after finishing second in Saturday's sprint race for a bonus two points.

Max Verstappen
Red Bull's Max Verstappen after crashing out of the race. Photo: Reuters
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